Receiving a cancer diagnosis, whether for yourself or a loved one, can be devastating.
Along with the physical toll of treatments, the emotional impact can be significant. Shock, fear, sadness, anger – it's normal to experience a kaleidoscope of emotions as you navigate this challenging path. Maintaining mental health and welfare is pivotal for coping effectively and finding moments of strength and calm.
By making your mental health a priority and utilizing helpful coping strategies, you can improve your mindset, reduce anxiety, and regain a sense of control. This blog offers you 5 tips to support your mental health after a cancer diagnosis:
Understand and Acknowledge Your Emotions
The emotional rollercoaster that accompanies a cancer diagnosis is unique to each individual.
Fear of the unknown, anxiety about treatment, sadness over lost normalcy. These feelings are normal and a natural outcome of facing a life-altering situation. It's necessary to realize and accept these feelings as a natural part of the healing process. You may also experience anger, sadness, or an amalgam of emotions that cannot be put into words.
Accepting that these emotions are normal can be a massive step toward emotional healing. Acknowledging your emotions doesn't imply weakness; rather, it signifies strength and self-awareness. By allowing yourself to feel, you curate the way for better emotional well-being.
If you find it tough to handle your emotions alone, seeking help from friends, family, or any professional can provide a safe space for expression.
Create a Support System
One of the best things you can do during your cancer recovery journey is to establish a rugged support system. It can make all the difference in coping mentally and emotionally after a cancer diagnosis.
This is especially true if you’ve been wronged due to others’ negligence. According to TorHoerman Law, cases of cancer due to defective/harmful products, such as chemical hair straighteners, Roundup herbicides, or other toxic products are prime examples.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, has been classified as a possible carcinogen. Similarly, chemical hair straighteners contain formaldehyde, which can cause ovarian and uterine cancer. Such cases have prompted many victims to take legal action against the manufacturers.
While the hair straightener and Roundup lawsuit payouts and settlement amounts offer some relief, it's important to remember that emotional healing is a complex process. Settlements may assist you financially, but connecting emotionally with others is most vital.
Discussing your struggles with those in similar conditions as you can help reduce your loneliness. Distinct support groups related to such incidents offer a space to unite. If possible, have candid conversations with your support network to explain how they can best help you during this challenging time.
Try to identify and connect with supportive individuals in your life who can encourage your cancer journey. This might involve calling on close family members, rekindling friendships that boost your mood, or confiding in religious or spiritual counsel. Whether you need someone to vent to, assist with medical appointments, or simply provide a distraction when you’re feeling low, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.
Realizing you are not alone in your struggle can lift your spirits. Building this social safety net helps catch you during vulnerable moments and reminds you that you don't have to face everything alone. Take comfort in your close ones who love you and want to see you thrive.
Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Incorporating relaxation practices into your routine can work wonders for mental health when facing cancer's stresses.
Simple mindfulness techniques like breathwork, visualization, and meditation help calm the mind and body. They also help reduce your stress, fatigue, and pain, and manage your anxiety and depression levels.
Start with short, focused breathing exercises to ground yourself in the here and now. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes daily to sit quietly, focus on your breath, and repeat a mantra like “I am strong” to reduce anxiety. Apps like Calm and Headspace provide guided meditations to follow. Practicing yoga stretches also enhances mindfulness.
The combination of movement and deep breathing boosts mood. Other relaxing activities like journaling, sipping tea, walking outside, or listening to music promote calmness and emotional well-being. Consider other gentle activities, such as tai chi or yoga, as per your comfort level. These practices enhance physical well-being and contribute to mental clarity.
Experiment to find what works for you. The more you go through the motions, the more natural positivity and tranquility arise. Having go-to stress management tools gives a sense of control when cancer understandably makes life feel overwhelming.
Seek Professional Help
Remember, you don't have to do anything of this alone. Seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor specializing in cancer-related issues is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Yet, a study observes that cancer patients fail to seek adequate professional mental health services. This comes as a shock, even though the patients are known for having mental distress and poor physical health. Consider scheduling regular sessions with a therapist, counselor, or psychologist to process feelings of grief, anxiety, anger, or depression. They help you manage the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Joining a local cancer support group also provides an understanding environment to share your struggles with others facing similar battles. For one-on-one support, organizations like Cancer Hope Network match cancer patients with trained volunteers who relate to their diagnosis. Support services like counseling or group therapy may be accessible through your cancer treatment center.
Getting professional mental health assistance, whether through a therapist or support group, gives you a safe space to voice challenges and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Don't be afraid to rely on professionals trained to help guide you through cancer's psychological effects. It takes courage and strength to know when you need more support.
Focus on What You Can Control
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the lack of control that comes with a cancer diagnosis.
While you can’t dictate every aspect of your health journey, you can prioritize self-care in certain areas you can have influence over. For instance,
- Maintain a balanced diet within your doctor’s recommendations to nourish your body through treatment.
- Light exercise like walking, when possible, also boosts mood. About 75 minutes of brisk walking can decrease the likelihood of depression by 18%. Walking can also help reduce stress and increase mental alertness.
- Develop a soothing nightly routine that prepares you for sleep.
- Surround yourself with positive people who lift your spirits.
- Adjust your schedule to accommodate appointments and recovery time.
- Set manageable goals to provide a positive feeling of accomplishment.
- Finding aspects of your life that you can optimize, even if small, helps you maintain agency. Focus your energy on what you can control.
This mindset empowers you to take an active role in your well-being. Letting go of anxieties about the future allows you to focus on the present moment and make the most of each day. Practicing gratitude for the small joys in life, even amidst challenges, can also cultivate a positive outlook.
A cancer diagnosis presents abundant challenges, but prioritizing mental health helps to cope.
By understanding your emotions, building a support network, practicing relaxation techniques, seeking professional help, and focusing on what you can control, you can improve your mindset after cancer. Each day, utilize these strategies to nourish your mind, body, and spirit.
Embrace the everyday wins, take pride in your progress, and remember, hope is always on the horizon. With perseverance and support, you will find inner strength. Remember, this too shall pass.
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